Final answer:
The most difficult area to search for a submerged victim is underneath play structures at a waterfront with murky water because of reduced visibility. Quick rescue and CPR on stable ground are crucial in saving a drowning person, and light refraction in water can mislead observers about depth, contributing to injuries. Option D
Step-by-step explanation:
The area most difficult to check for a submerged victim is D | Underneath play structures at a waterfront with murky water. This is due to the lack of visibility caused by the turbid water, which makes it challenging to spot a person who may be drowning or submerged.
The realities of drowning emphasize that a person in distress might not be able to call for help or wave; their head may be low in the water, with movements that are not conspicuous. Moreover, submerged objects, including potential victims in water, appear shallower than their actual depth because of the refraction of light, an effect that also explains why a person's legs appear shortened when wading.
Additionally, diving into unfamiliar waters without visibility can lead to neck and spinal injuries due to the unknown depth and possible shallow areas.
Rescue efforts for drowning victims must be prompt, as an unconscious person with an airway still sealed can recover if CPR is administered soon after the rescue. The myth that administering CPR before removing someone from water is effective is debunked; CPR must be given on stable ground.
Furthermore, rescues should not be delayed with the false belief that it's too late to save a person who is unconscious; rapid intervention could mean the difference between life and death, particularly in cold water situations where there is a notable chance of recovery. Option D